La Sirena’s King Poseidon – the Mermaid’s Cigar

La Sirena (the Mermaid) has been on the market for about 6 years and has grown from the original blend to 4 blends – Original, Merlion, Oceano and Old School. And the brand split off from Miami Cigar to be owned by Arielle Ditkowich, its founder. I expect Arielle is the beautiful mermaid prominently displayed on La Sirena’s website.

I try to visit as many booths as possible at the IPCPR and in 2014 La Sirena gave me an Original blend gran toro (6 X 60), called King Poseidon, to review. The Poseidon is a Nicaraguan puro. It has Jalapa and Condega filler with a Nicaraguan binder, all wrapped by a Habano Oscuro. This oscuro was the lightest shade of “black” that I have ever seen. It is closer to milk chocolate in color than dark chocolate.

The Poseidon was firm and had pre-light aromas of cocoa and anise. The draw was extremely easy, perhaps too much so. The creamy smoke volume was very good and there was a little sweetness from the wrapper. The ash was acceptable but there was too much flaking. The predominant flavor was cocoa with a nice espresso coffee in the background. Pepper came to the forefront in the second half. The burn was uneven and with the flaking, several relights were needed.

I took an hour and 45 minutes to smoke the cigar and the best part of the Poseidon was the flavor. However the draw, burn and flaking indicate construction blemishes. I found the Poseidon on line for $8.90 each when purchased in a box of 20. I rate it a 2.5 out of 5.